Greek does not merely divide degree into “very” and “not very.” It offers a scale from λίγο “slightly” through αρκετά “quite” and πολύ “very” to πάρα πολύ “extremely.” Other words add a judgment: υπερβολικά means “excessively,” while τελείως, εντελώς, and απόλυτα present a quality as complete. Choosing well therefore communicates both strength and attitude.
Unless marked otherwise, the forms below are neutral in register and work in conversation and writing.
A practical intensity scale
The scale is approximate, not mathematical. Tone and context can strengthen any member, and αρκετά may mean either “fairly” or “enough.” Still, this ordering is a useful production guide:
| Approximate degree | Intensifier | Typical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| low | λίγο | a little, slightly |
| moderate | αρκετά | quite, fairly, sufficiently |
| high | πολύ | very |
| very high | πάρα πολύ | extremely, very much |
| beyond a desirable limit | υπερβολικά | excessively, too |
Η αίθουσα είναι λίγο μικρή, αλλά αρκετά φωτεινή.
i éthusa íne lígho mikrí, alá arketá fotiní
The room is a little small, but quite bright.
Το διαμέρισμα είναι πάρα πολύ όμορφο, αλλά υπερβολικά ακριβό.
to dhiamérizma íne pára polí ómorfo, alá ipervoliká akrivó
The flat is extremely beautiful, but excessively expensive.
The second contrast matters. Πάρα πολύ ακριβό reports a very high price; υπερβολικά ακριβό evaluates that price as beyond what is reasonable. English often translates both as too expensive, but Greek υπερβολικά makes the criticism explicit.
Intensifying adjectives and adverbs
Degree words are invariable. When an adjective follows, that adjective still agrees with its noun; when an adverb follows, nothing agrees.
Η καινούρια συνάδελφος είναι πολύ οργανωμένη και δουλεύει πολύ γρήγορα.
i kenúria sinádhelfos íne polí orghanoméni ke dhulévi polí ghríghora
The new colleague is very organized and works very quickly.
Τα παιδιά τα πήγαν αρκετά καλά, παρόλο που είχαν λίγο χρόνο.
ta pedhiá ta píghan arketá kalá, parólo pu íchan lígho chróno
The children did quite well, even though they had little time.
English speakers sometimes expect an intensifier to copy a nearby adjective because Greek agreement is otherwise so visible. It never does: πολύ κουρασμένος, πολύ κουρασμένη, πολύ κουρασμένοι all keep the same πολύ. The adjective carries gender and number by itself.
Complete degree: τελείως, εντελώς, απόλυτα
Τελείως and εντελώς both mean “completely/entirely” and overlap extensively. They fit especially naturally with a boundary or all-or-nothing interpretation: τελείως λάθος “completely wrong,” εντελώς άδειο “completely empty,” τελείως διαφορετικό “completely different.”
Η διεύθυνση στο μήνυμα ήταν τελείως λάθος.
i dhiéfthinsi sto mínima ítan telíos láthos
The address in the message was completely wrong.
Όταν φτάσαμε, το ψυγείο ήταν εντελώς άδειο.
ótan ftásame, to psiyío ítan endelós ádhio
When we arrived, the fridge was completely empty.
Απόλυτα presents agreement, certainty, or conformity as total: απόλυτα σωστό, απόλυτα βέβαιος, συμφωνώ απόλυτα. It is common in careful speech as well as formal prose. With ordinary gradable qualities, πολύ is usually the natural default; “completely beautiful” is conceptually less straightforward than “completely empty.” Everyday speakers can stretch completion words expressively—είμαι τελείως εξαντλημένος—so this is a meaning preference, not a ban.
Συμφωνώ απόλυτα μαζί σου σ' αυτό το θέμα.
simfonó apólita mazí su s' aftó to théma
I agree with you completely on this issue.
Expressive intensifiers: φοβερά, τρομερά, πραγματικά
Φοβερά and τρομερά literally connect with fear or awfulness, but before a positive adjective they commonly mean “incredibly/terribly” (informal). The adjective reveals the evaluation: φοβερά ωραίο is enthusiastic, not frightening. These forms are natural in speech, reviews, and personal writing; in a formal report, prefer πολύ, εξαιρετικά, or a precise measurement.
Περάσαμε φοβερά ωραία στο πάρτι χθες.
perásame foverá oréa sto párti chthes
We had an incredibly good time at the party yesterday. (informal)
Είμαι τρομερά αγχωμένη για τη συνέντευξη.
íme tromerá anchoméni ya ti sinéndefksi
I'm terribly anxious about the interview. (informal)
Πραγματικά means “really/truly.” It can raise degree—πραγματικά υπέροχο—but its distinctive job is to vouch for the truth or sincerity of the assessment. It need not be stronger than πάρα πολύ.
Η βοήθειά σου ήταν πραγματικά πολύτιμη.
i voíthiá su ítan praghmatiká polítimi
Your help was truly invaluable.
The one-word elative in -τατος
Greek can replace πολύ / πάρα πολύ + adjective with an agreeing adjective in -τατος, -τάτη, -τατο: σημαντικότατος, σημαντικότατη, σημαντικότατο. This is the absolute superlative or elative: it means “extremely important,” not “the most important in a group.” It is (formal) and often emphatic; some uses are (literary) or ceremonial.
Η συμβολή της στην έρευνα ήταν σημαντικότατη.
i simvolí tis stin érevna ítan simandikótati
Her contribution to the research was extremely important. (formal)
Ήταν μια ωραιότατη βραδιά και σας ευχαριστούμε θερμά.
ítan mia oreótati vradhiá ke sas efcharistúme thermá
It was a most delightful evening, and we thank you warmly. (formal)
In everyday conversation, πάρα πολύ σημαντική and πάρα πολύ ωραία are more natural. The -τατος form is a full adjective, so unlike an adverbial intensifier it must agree. The complete formation belongs to the absolute superlative.
Common Mistakes
❌ Το κέικ ήταν πάρα αφράτο.
Incorrect—πάρα normally intensifies πολύ, not the adjective directly.
✅ Το κέικ ήταν πάρα πολύ αφράτο.
to kéik ítan pára polí afráto
The cake was extremely fluffy.
❌ Η Μαρία είναι αρκετή κουρασμένη σήμερα.
Incorrect—the degree adverb is invariable αρκετά; αρκετή is an agreeing adjective.
✅ Η Μαρία είναι αρκετά κουρασμένη σήμερα.
i María íne arketá kurazméni símera
Maria is quite tired today.
❌ Ήταν μια ωραιότατο βραδιά.
Incorrect—the -τατος elative is an adjective and must agree with feminine βραδιά.
✅ Ήταν μια ωραιότατη βραδιά.
ítan mia oreótati vradhiá
It was a most delightful evening. (formal)
Key Takeaways
- The practical scale is λίγο < αρκετά < πολύ < πάρα πολύ; υπερβολικά adds “beyond an acceptable limit.”
- τελείως / εντελώς suit completion and boundaries; απόλυτα is especially natural with certainty, correctness, and agreement.
- φοβερά / τρομερά are expressive (informal) intensifiers; πραγματικά stresses truth or sincerity.
- The agreeing -τατος elative is a (formal) alternative to “extremely,” not a relative comparison.
Related Topics
- Adverbs of Quantity and DegreeA2 — Use Greek quantity and degree adverbs such as πολύ, λίγο, αρκετά, τόσο, σχεδόν, περίπου, μόνο, and καθόλου without confusing them with agreeing quantifiers.
- Absolute Superlative (Elative)B2 — How Greek says 'very / extremely X' with no comparison in sight — the everyday spoken πολύ / πάρα πολύ / υπερβολικά + adjective and the learned one-word elative in -τατος (ωραιότατος, ταχύτατος, θερμότατα), why -τατος is emphatic and formal rather than wrong, how it declines, and the lexicalized top-degree adjectives (άριστος, υπέροχος, έξοχος) that already carry the meaning.
- Intensifying and Sarcastic ExclamationsB2 — Use productive σιγά μη + subjunctive to dismiss an expectation, and recognize how context and delivery turn an otherwise positive evaluation ironic.